Change in Dates for Nighttime Photo class

Just a head's up to anyone interested in the Intro to Nighttime Photography class, #630. Instead of beginning on February 4th, it will now begin on February 11th and will run through February 25th. The class time is the same, 6:30-8:30.

It should be a great class, and a must for anyone who needs a little extra help with nighttime and low-light photography!

photo by instructor Keith Morgan.

Until we meet again,
Amanda

Winter Class Calendars

I recently had a great suggestion from a student to create a calendar with all of the photography classes laid out.  There are so many classes offered in our Winter session, that this would be a helpful way to look at them all at once to see which ones may fit into your schedule.  When I upload them here, you cannot see them very well, but take a look below and you will get an idea of what I am talking about.  If you would like for me to e-mail you a copy of the calendars, I will be glad to.  Just let me know at photo@sawtooth.org.

Happy Holidays to all of you!  I look forward to the start of our Winter session!

Until we meet again,
Amanda

Photo Classes Make Great Gifts!

 

If you are giving the gift of a camera for the holidays, consider giving a photography class along with it!  It's a nice way to make a great gift even better!

Winter Session Spotlight: 654 A, Complete Studio Lighting Course

We have lots of great photography classes in our winter session that we are offering for the first time, so I will try to spotlight those classes in the next few weeks to give a closer look at some of the exciting things going on here at the Sawtooth Photography Department!
 
photo by Dustin Clewell

In coming up with the new schedule, I was trying to think of classes that offer something more for photographers that you can't get at home, find through a search on the Internet, read in a book, or otherwise have access to.  I think I've found this in Dustin Clewell.  Dustin is incredibly enthusiastic and totally passionate about photography.  A recent graduate of Appalachian State with a Bachelor of Science in Technical Photography, Dustin currently works for Belk in Charlotte, shooting all of their fashion and product ads.  He really knows his lighting, both ambient and studio, and is truly an asset to our teaching staff. 
                                                                                                                                          
So when he agreed to teach an in-depth lighting course, I was thrilled!  But we had one small problem: we didn't have any proper lighting equipment!  Through joint efforts between our previous executive director, Sherri Nielson, and our current interim director, Christine Gorelick, I was able to order a new complete lighting system for the Sawtooth Photography  Department.  Dustin and Miranda Coe (another one of our fantastic new teachers) came by the other week to test it all out, and were quite pleased with our new equipment.  So we're ready to go!

Even if you don't have a lighting set-up at home or any desire to do fashion photography, this course is well-worth your time if you want to take better pictures.  Understanding lighting is the key to great photography, and this course will cover on- and off-camera flash, studio strobes, and natural light.  The best part?  It will not be taught in our regular photography classrooms but in our Youth 4 room instead, the one with all of the windows in the front of the building facing the street.  Everyone walking by will get a sneak peak at the fantastic work we're doing here! 

So spread the word to anyone you know wanting to improve their lighting skills.  It will be great fun indeed! And if you want to check out more of Dustin's work, click here http://www.flickr.com/photos/clewelldm/

Until we meet again,
Amanda

The New Winter Schedule Has Just Been Posted!

The new winter class schedule is now online! There are a few kinks that need to be worked out, but you can get a first-look at the winter photography classes here: http://www.sawtooth.org/classes/photo/intro-to-dslr-photography.html

The Winter catalog will be mailed by November 21, so be looking for that towards the end of the month.  We have a lot of new photography classes offered this session, and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 336-723-7395 ext. 205 or by e-mail at photo@sawtooth.org.

Looking forward to seeing you here!

Until we meet again,
Amanda

A Must-See Photo Documentary

This is one of the most moving sites I've seen lately, and I wanted to share it with you.  It's a great example of how a simple camera can leave you with a lasting legacy.  All photography by Phillip Toledano.

Enjoy!  http://www.dayswithmyfather.com/

Until we meet again,
Amanda

Create a Stunning Online Presence With Zac!

There is still time to register for our Social Media and You class taught by the talented Zac Trainor.  Create an online presence using social platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIN and Wordpress. Each class will focus on setting up and editing content in a different online platform. It's a great way to promote your work and learn more about how social networking can help you take control of your own advertising! 

There will be four classes from 6:30-8:30 in the evenings, beginning on November 4th (skipping November 25th).  Sign up by calling Sawtooth at 336-723-7395 or online at http://www.sawtooth.org/classes/photo/social-media-and-you1.html

Check out Zac's website at www.zactrainor.com

Until we meet again,
Amanda

Dear Photograph

What a brilliant idea!

I could lose hours on this site.  Make sure you have a box of Kleenex next to you.
http://dearphotograph.com/

I'd love to see your own "dear photographs" if anyone has one to share.  Thanks to Tony for telling me about the site.

Until we meet again,
Amanda

A Sneak Peak at Winter Classes!

I'm busy getting the Winter Catalog courses together and couldn't wait to tell you about some of them!  We're getting creative and offering some new classes in Winter 2012, so here's a sneak peak:

 *I Have This Great Camera, Now What Do I Do With It? A great hands-on class taught by new instructor Hooman Bahrani, an international award-winning professional photographer and all-around great guy! This would be the perfect class to give as a Christmas present, along with a great new camera, of course!
*Selling Your Art on ETSY!  A great way to learn the in's and out's of selling and promoting your photography and art on the wonderful artist community ETSY, taught by Katie Chasteen.
*Healing Grief and Loss Through Photography. Using photography to explore the grieving process and aid in self-expression. Taught by former therapist and current Photography Department Coordinator, Amanda Sullivan.
*Not Your Average Photo Scrapbooking Class! A very unique class that is more art than scrapbooking, taught by new instructor Amanda Worley.
*Photo Recreation. A fun, hands-on class taught by our ever-entertaining Dan Simonson! Here's your chance to recreate a famous photo and make it your own!
*Shooting RAW: An Intro to Working with RAW Format Files. A great course for RAW shooters taught by Dan Simonson and Will Willner
*Studio Lighting: Fashion and Faces.  A great lighting course geared toward portraits and fashion photography taught by a secret professional photographer!
*Master Class: Understanding Your Camera's Manual Settings.  An intensive, hands-on class designed to help you better understand your camera's manual controls.  Taught by Amanda Sullivan.
*Introduction to Pinhole Photography. A fantastic class that gets back to the basics and explores the artistic genre of pinhole photography.  Taught by our wonderful and talented Mary Bailey Thomas.

And this is just a taste!!!  Of course, we'll have our standard courses as well, and a few other new classes added to the mix.  Look for your catalog near the end of November, and I'll keep you updated on the blog!
Until we meet again,

Amanda











Manchester, England by Amanda Sullivan

Ye Old Film vs Digital Debate. Where Do You Stand?

Chunky vs Smooth.  Plain M&Ms vs Peanut M&Ms (and a million other flavors now...)

Everybody likes a great debate, and it's no secret that the film vs digital roar has been heard (often fiercely)  in chat rooms, pubs, campuses, and coffee shops all over the world.  

Here are a couple of good links related to the subject:
http://www.twinlenslife.com/2009/05/digital-vs-film-real-deal-nikon-d300-vs.html
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/filmgoingaway.htm

As for me, I use both.  I will never, ever give up my film cameras, and my time in the darkroom is my therapy. I wish more people would explore the darkroom, especially those who have only known digital in their lifetimes. Most who do learn darkroom techniques--especially younger students in their early-mid teens--are amazed and hooked on film afterwards!  My film cameras are fast, fast, fast and just feel better when I push the shutter release.  I will always hold the belief that black & white film prints are superior to black & white digital prints.  Having said all that, I will never, ever give up my digital cameras, either.  I can spend hours on Photoshop just playing around until I get an image that I really love. And you can't beat looking at an image right after you shoot it to make sure it's the way you want it. It's interesting, though, because most of my joy in shooting film cameras is immediate, while most of my fun shooting digital comes later on the computer as I work with the images.  That's a bit ironic, isn't it, considering the immediacy of digital vs film! But it's true.  I like the process of shooting with film cameras, especially my older ones, and I like the process of manipulating images with digital.  The fact that you can digitize film through the use of scanners is a bonus for me, like the best of both worlds. 

So is there any point in debating, really? I suppose it all boils down to what works best for you and what gives you the most joy.  We cater to the film fans and the digital here at Sawtooth, so all bases are covered.

Variety is the spice of life so they say, and a good debate gets your endorphins pumping.  So where do you stand?

Until we meet again,
Amanda

Want to Take Better Pictures of Your Family?

There's still time to register for Better Baby Photography with instructor Dan Simonson! The workshop is scheduled for one Saturday, October 22nd from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.  If you've ever taken a class from Dan, you know he is very entertaining!  And he knows his photography! It's a fun and informative class that will not only help you take better pictures of your baby, but your whole family as well.

Cost of the workshop is $50 for members and $65 for non-members.  Sign up now by calling the Sawtooth School at 336-723-7395 or register online at http://www.sawtooth.org/classes/photo.html

 Photo by Dan Simonson

  Photo by Justin Doub

Until we meet again,
Amanda

There's Still Time!

There's still time to register for our fall classes!   We still have lots of great photography classes that are open.  Many are introductory classes that will be perfect building blocks for the more advanced classes we will be offering in the Winter session (more to come on that soon!).  Log on to www.sawtooth.org to register or call 336-723-7395.

Everyone can take pictures.  But it takes that special edge to be a photographer.  Let Sawtooth give you the edge!

Until we meet again,
Amanda 

We Need Your Ideas!

That's right!  The photography department needs your ideas for new photography classes.  Do you keep searching our catalog for a particular subject that never shows up?  If so, please let me know at photo@sawtooth.org

We've got some great new classes and teachers coming for our Winter session, so stay tuned.  I've already put into place 6 new classes, but I would still love to hear from you and find out what you would like to learn.  We're going in a great new direction, and I'm very excited, but we still need your input.

I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

Until we meet again,

Amanda

Photographers Remember 9/11

Here's a great link from The Guardian, a short film of photographers recalling 9/11.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2011/sep/08/9-11-attacks-photographs-interactive

Join Me...

...in a cozy, dimly lit room. 

The delicate sound of running water soothes your nerves. 

No children tugging at your shirt.
 
No cell phones. 

No bosses.

No pressure. 

Just you, and the memories you are about to create.

The Sawtooth School for Visual Art Darkroom. Make your escape now...

684 A Darkroom Exploration with Mary Bailey-Thomas. 6 Wednesdays, 9/21-10/26, 6:30-8:30 pm
684 B Darkroom Exploration with Polly Meares. 6 Thursdays, 9/22-10/27, 6:30-8:30 pm
650 Independent Darkroom (Darkroom Rental), 9 week (Sept. 19-Nov. 18), unlimited usage rates and hourly rates available
http://www.sawtooth.org/classes/photo/darkroom-exploration.html

Vivian Maier: Photographer's Work Discovered!

How great would this be?

At a local thrift auction house, a photo savvy fella stumbles upon over 100,000 negatives of an undiscovered talent.  After many hours, days, nights, weeks of exhaustive research, John Maloof finally tracks down the photographer, a Chicago nanny named Vivian Maier.

It's a fantastic story with loads of great photos.  They're even making a movie about it!  Check it out here, and enjoy: http://www.vivianmaier.com/

Until we meet again,
Amanda

New Evening Lightroom Class added for Fall 2011!

Due to popular demand, we have added an evening Adobe Lightroom class to our Fall 2011 session!  The class will be taught by Ollie Treadway, and will meet on four Monday evenings, starting October 3rd.  Click here for more information: http://www.sawtooth.org/classes/photo/lightroom-lecture.html

If you love photography, you will love Lightroom!  And now is a great time to learn, as we have several classes to choose from for our Fall session!

Until we meet again,
Amanda

Welcome to the Sawtooth School Photography Blog!

Indeed, it is our very first Sawtooth Photography Department blog!  Along with our Facebook page, this is a great way to keep up with all that is going on in our photography department. In addition to news about classes, events, and all of our Sawtooth happenings, we'll also share images and photography information, creating a wonderful community of Sawtooth photographers!

So stay tuned...we're just getting things going, but more will be added soon!

Until we meet again,
Amanda